Dry mouth
Dry mouth, known medically as xerostomia, is a condition
in which the salivary glands fail to work properly, which
leads to reduced saliva production. It can be caused by
various diseases and by a number of medical treatments, such
as chemotherapy and radiation treatment. In addition, dry
mouth is a side effect of more than 500 commonly used
medications, including drugs for allergy,
depression, high
blood pressure, and Parkinson's disease. Dry mouth may
make it hard to eat, swallow, taste, and speak. It can affect
oral health by adding to tooth decay and infection.
Until recently, dry mouth was regarded as a normal part
of aging, as was the resulting gum disease
and loss of teeth. It is now known that healthy older adults produce as much
saliva as younger adults. Dry mouth is not a normal condition at any age.
Whenever symptoms include burning of the tongue; difficulty in eating dry foods,
wearing dentures, or speaking; frequent thirst; impaired taste; and/or
dry cracked lips and dry skin at the corners of the mouth,
the problem is likely to be dry mouth.
One of the most common medical reasons for dry
mouth is Sjogren's syndrome, which results from an attack
on the salivary glands by an overactive immune system. In
addition to dry mouth and skin, this disease can result in
dry, extremely painful eyes, with blurred vision;
fatigue;
recurrent canker sores; and, in women, a lack of vaginal
lubrication. It can also affect the internal organs. Cavities
and gum disease despite good oral hygiene are a warning
signal of Sjogren's syndrome.
Herbal treatments for dry mouth either stimulate
salivation or relieve inflammation. In using these treatments,
the general rule is, within limits recommended below, the
more the better. The more the mouth is kept moist, the
fewer complications will develop.
Supplements and herbs
- Prickly ash tincture. Take 10-20 drops in 1/4 cup water 3-7 times daily.
Stimulates salivation in dry mouth caused by radiation treatment. Also prevents oral irritation.
- Slippery elm
tea (loose or bagged). Prepare as directed on the label and drink a cup as desired.
Reduces discomfort of mouth.
- Solomon's seal Probotannix capsules. Take 1,000-2,000 daily mg.
Relieves dry mouth caused by use of medications.
What else you can do
- To relieve dryness, sip water frequently. A little water
taken frequently is better than a glassful of water drunk all at once.
- Avoid sugary snacks, caffeinated beverages, tobacco,
and alcohol, all of which increase dryness in the mouth.
- Chew sugar-free gum. Chewing gum mildly stimulates
the secretion of saliva.
- Use a saliva substitute. These commercially available
products can be found in most pharmacies.
- Establish a good plaque-control program. Heavy plaque
accumulations occur as the result of dry mouth.
- Many doctors recommend pilocarpine for treatment of
dry mouth caused by radiation treatment. The herbal
extract jaborandi provides the same chemicals as pilocarpine (and was the original source of the drug).
- Cancer therapies, especially radiation to the head and
neck or chemotherapy, can cause dry mouth and other
related problems, including tooth decay, painful mouth
sores, and cracked and peeling lips. Before starting cancer
treatment, it is important to see a dentist and take care of
any necessary dental work. Your dentist can also show you
how to care for your teeth and mouth before, during, and
after cancer treatment to prevent or reduce the oral
problems that may occur.
- Acupuncture treatments can increase salivary flow to
relieve dry mouth after radiation treatment and in Sjogren's syndrome. Typically, about twenty-four treatments are necessary to
improve the condition. People who experience increased
salivation after taking the herb-derived drug pilocarpine
are the most likely to benefit from acupuncture.
- People who develop dry mouth as a side effect of
medication or after treatment for cancer, or who have HIV, are
especially at risk for thrush, an oral yeast infection. This
condition appears as white blotches in the roof of the
mouth. Thrush contained inside the mouth is painless, but
may cause painful cracking of the skin at the corners of the
mouth.
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